Great Strides and Free Comic Book Day 2018

Hello this rainy night my friends,

I hope and pray all is well with you guys. Before this rain shut down on us I've been taking advantage of the outdoors and my mindscape. I have not been able to sit still as of late. But here I am ready to regal you with the month's fun. Sit back this maybe a long one. These particular events took place during a course of two days.

Great Strides
Since 2007 my peeps and me have off and on participated in this great cause. Great Strides is an amazing event that raises money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. There are walks all over every year to collect the money you've raised thus far and just celebrate your efforts. Why do I walk you may ask? Well this is why I walk:

You'd know her as the Captain. I've watched her battle this beast and it's minions, she's a strong little warrior, she may not look it, but she is.
 This is the first time in a few years we've all got to get together to do the walk as one big group. Since they changed were we use to walk and most our walk team is out in Franklin, we decided to walk out there.
The walk took place on May the Fourth be with you. Yes they put up some Star Wars decorations for the occasion. They even had a magician on hand, which Fangirl called it on his profession before he announced it.
While it wasn't Carrier Park, it was still a spectacular walk. There was a river to one side with people fishing on boats:

There was even a beaver pond:

I found my first painted rock hanging out in a tree:

The back said to post it Franklin NC Post, Fangirl said the tag should be #WNCrocks so there's both of them which ever it is. These rocks special made for the event was all over the trail. This one was my favorite:

They told us what was collected at this walk total over $14,000. I hope all these takes us closer to a cure.

It was great seeing all my best friends together in one place again. We had laughs, goofed off, talked Supernatural, and asked the important questions like "Could the Doctor lift Thor's hammer?"

Free Comic Book Day 2018
 

So the next day was my favorite Geeky Holiday: Free Comic Book Day!!! It was a rainy day off and on, but it did not dampen Fangirl's nor my spirits as we jammed to some Geeky tunes, well at least my spirits weren't,  Fangirl may have had a weather induced headache.
We had a new stop to make this year in the town of Canton at a shop called Not So Old Toys and Comics:

Usually when we've gone it's when his Mom is running the place, but today Mr. Rogers was there himself. Now since this store doesn't get in brand spakin new comics, they didn't have the free comics that were to be offered , but they did have special sales and maybe their own free selection. For the first 30 peeps in the store you got a free goodie bag. It was a Transformers Prime bag and the swag was 3 issues of Street Sharks, that was a trip down memory lane. I never read the comics or saw the show, but I remember the commercials for the toy line. Plus the ads found in these books take me back, they were the same ones that could be found in other magazines of my childhood. I purchased a unicorn for my Mom for Mother's day, while Fangirl gave into her Transformers fandom and bought a figure to add to her collection. I couldn't tell you the name of the character it's beyond the basics I think.

Their always watching...

Our next stop was Hero Hunter Comics, the origin store of our Free Comic Book Day hijinxs all that time ago. I'm happy to announce that after all these years they're going to be heading to what I hope a bigger local. I'm excited for them. So next year maybe we'll have a new shiny shop to raise havoc in. I purchased a Wonder Woman Bombshells Pin, because she's my favorite superhero. I also purchased a Princess Leia Pin, this was mainly cause I was thinking on the things I'd been telling Fangirl about her on the drive over there her prayer candle, warning bad gesture, and her glitter habits.

As we partook of the monthly Chinese feast,  Econut called to inform me of her comic haul, which included three rare Pirates of Dark Water comics.... *pouts* Do you guys remember that cartoon, if you do you rock!

The next location was suppose to be Haywood Comics, but in trying to find parking we ended up on one of our "adventures", code word for getting lost.  We went from West Asheville, to Carrier Park, through the River Arts District, and into Downtown. This surprised us when we ended up in downtown, yeah we decided not to back track.

But sometimes the unexpected journeys can be even better than what you planned. West Asheville is one of my favorite sections of Asheville, like many places in the city it has some amazing art on it's buildings:

Plus, I've always wanted to go to the River Arts District of Asheville which was a fun place to explore, and of course boasted it's own building art:

Or the building themselves seemed to catch my interest:

This is what I love about Asheville and the unexpected trips you never know what gems your gonna find.

As we headed on to Comic Envy we heard this street musician singing about going away in his time machine, my inner Whovian got giddy and pretty appropriate for the day I thought (one of the free comics was Doctor Who, yes I remembered to get it this year).

We got to Comic Envy only to learn they had moved and were on Merrimon avenue now. So another back track venture and we found it's new home. Captain Jack Sparrow was at his usual post directing traffic and getting his goof on.

It was a busy FCBD as usual. I decided to purchase another Doctor Who comic The Twelfth Doctor: Ghost Stories.

While out that way I suggested we go to The Wyvern's Tale, a gaming store I'd been wanting to go into for a bit. It just so happened to be down the road, so once Fangirl slapped her latest bumper stickers on her vehicle, we were off.

The Wyvern's Tale was a gamers wonderland. I added to my dice collection, amongst the purchases was a weather dice, and a blue transparent 6 sided die with a tiny white 6 sided die within.  I was eyeing some mini's and other wondrous treasures, but had to remind myself gotta save some dough for your Mother's Day gifts. The guy who run me up was nice and helpful, so that made my day.

As we headed to see Infinity Wars we saw more of the city's quirk that I've come to love. There was this mural I was really drawn to I guess cause I still love making dandelion wishes and I think one of my favorite flowers, the daisy, is in that bouquet.

As we got to the obelisk we found a man making huge bubbles:

I think a piece of me would have enjoyed just taking a moment to be out there enjoying the show.

So what were my thoughts of Infinity Wars? Like Marvel stuck a knife in my chest twisted it a bit yanked it out with my my heart still on the blade and stomped on it, yet I still found myself laughing and now quoting bits of the movie, that's a marvel movie for you I guess.

After the feels fest we dined upon Applebee's where apparently my constant energetic state as of late, well prior to being sick and the rain, made me actually have an appetite. Then a meal pick up for the folks and then we slogged home to the sounds of geek.

What were my favorite comics of my haul? Well Doctor Who of course, especially the 11th's story and maybe Lady Mechanika even though the 1st part was a recap from a past FCBD comic.

How has you May been my friends? Did you guys do anything for FCBD what were your favorite comments? Let me know in the comments. I hope you guys have a great week and may God bless you all, and hope it's sunny where your at.

Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer

My Strange Finds: Adventures in the Cold

It's a Strange Saturday Friends,

Well it's only strange cause I'm doing a My Strange Finds post today. The other day Fangirl and I headed out in the snow, which was gone by the time we got back, so nothing to major.  On our journey we came across some interesting things:

1. I noticed at one store a book called How to Deal with Difficult People. I pretty sure it's this one by Paul Friedman. I feel like we all need instructions for this, especially those with jobs where they have to deal with people daily.

2. I'd gone back in the games and kids section when I noticed there was Fullmetal Alchemist mangas and a DVD... IN THE KIDS SECTION! I'm like "Man if parents get that for their kids and don't realize and they all sit to watch it.... What a surprise." Fangirl assures me the parents will check the rating. You know there's people out there who probably don't!

Asheville Mural

3. Came across two geeky cars that collectively represented the  Legend of Zelda, The Walking Dead, Thunder Cats, and Doctor Who fandoms.

4. We also come across three turkeys in a populated area, something I've never seen, but maybe they wanted a bike from the bike shop, or a nice dress.

5. In Asheville I saw a billboard for I guess a dental place with a bearded tooth fairy, complete with a ballerina getup. I thought what a strange type of tooth fairy  till I remembered this is Asheville, of which I probably heard a couple of beard jokes pertaining to, so I'm like no that'd be this city's tooth fairy.

6. At a movie venue we went to above the entrance to the bathrooms was a sign near the ducts that had a ninja on it saying it was a ninja exit. I loved it, I mean come on I am the Ninja Writer, but yes made me smile.

Well that is some of my strange finds for this post. Hope you have a good weekend friends and May God Bless You!


Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer

The Halloween Season Chronicles

Hello friends! Seems our calendar has come around to the final couple months of another year. Soon we'll be running around throwing up the Christmas lights, we have to start putting them up before Thanksgiving to get done. Mom's already begun the great light check to make sure they are in good shape. But before we begin the journey to the Holiday Season, let's take a look at the recent Halloween season.

Where the Sky is Filled With Balloons

Almost every October Fangirl and I have made a trek to Franklin for their Pumpkinfest. It's the main time of the year, excluding conventions, we can rock the costumes. Fangirl went with her tried and true Fortuneteller get up, this makes the third or forth time since we've been friends that she's dressed as one.

Forgive the scowl, the sun was in her face.



I went as a Fall Fairy this year. My decision for this was based on that leaf crown. It was suppose to be used for my costume last year, but in the rush to leave I forgot it, so I decided to come up with a costume I where I could utilize it.

I've come to sprinkle Fall magic about, or at least some orange glitter.

We got to enter main street the same way we did I think the year before last and found a new tagging, the rat. Some of his toxic waste seems to have spewed on the street. The Crying Guy tag on the doorway in the background was there last time. I wonder what was their mindset. Was it just bored taggings or messages behind these pieces.

Now when we pass through the archway you see in the background some part of me always feels like your stepping into a new magical world. Which when you think about it it kinda is. It's a world of mermaids and pirates, princesses and book characters, superheroes and characters of the screen. It's where you'll see a flame shooting mini bike and a bookstore with cats. So yeah there's a bit of magic it if you look at it with the right set of eyes.
Thankfully it was a beautiful day, though more like a cool Summer day than Fall, which mean still pretty warm.

Lovely sky to receive the 22 balloon we saw lost into it's vastness

When I come into town I have two shops I love to visit. The first is one of my favorite book stores Books Unlimited. I mean it has books first off, but it has so many things I love about it. There's the wood floor, this grandfather clock you pass going into the used section of the store, they have a ship hanging from the ceiling, and of course the cats that are usually found around the shop. I didn't really pay attention this year to see if I saw the cats, I was in a fog of lack of sleep.

The second shop I visit is the Art Room. I love their selection of charms. Last year I think I purchased a charm for my charm bracelet that said beads of life which really I think reflects what a charm bracelet is. This year I decided to start a Halloween charm bracelet. I got a tea cup and saucer charm to represent my Hatter costume and a golden leaf for my fall fairy costume. I want to find charms that represent costumes of the past at some point and just other things that represent my Halloween memories.

You never know the friends you'll meet on a bench

The Thimblerig Circus was back and the lady of the trio was in her gorgeous costume again from last year, we later watched as she allowed her fellow performer to slice the banana in half she was holding in her teeth with his whip.

I LOVE THIS DRESS!

One thing Fangirl and I always do at this festival is the costume contest. This year was brutal and not the contest. It was hot and we're in layers standing in a looong line. We're in the last age group and my mouth was powder by the time we got to be judged. Neither one of us places 3rd when to a Green Arrow, 2nd to the Beast and his little Belle, and 1st was a homemade Edward Scissorhands costume, but they all deserved their wins.

Our day ended with we dining on pizza and visiting my sister awhile, where we were treated to bearded dragon antics.

Evie Pumpkin the Vampire Librarian

Our pumpkin carving was stalled when a call came in from my Granny saying my Grandpa was being sent into emergency surgery to have his appendix removed, it was 82. *Never fear he's alright he got to come home after five days in the hospital* But after the surgery we came home and got the pumpkins done. Thanks to the Daedalus Books catalogue I had books on the brain so I decided to put spooky and books together. With those themes in mind I created: Evie the Vampire Librarian!

Shush or she'll suck your blood.

I doubt you can see them in this picture, but she comes complete a scar and warts, warts were already a part of her lovely aesthetic

Halloween Night Antics

Halloween Night was kind laid back, we made our scarey themed supper, watched our usual movie and I finally caught Hocus Pocus on the tube.
　

Our Ham monster got black olive ears this year.

Well my friends I guess it's time to bid adieu to the Halloween Season. Although Fangirl and I are hoping to do one last bit of Halloween fun by going to see Maedea's second Halloween movie. I hope your week is good friends and may God bless you all.
.

A Day Long Road Trip

Good evening my friends. Well I reached another year. It was time spend with my family, extended family at the family reunion, and soul family. So I'm deeming the theme the Birthday of Family. I prefer doing like Grace in "Good Witch" and spending time with family on birthday, which aired the not long before my B-Day. Why is it around my B-day it seems my TV produces the B-Day eps?

As part of my B-Day gifts Fangirl decided to take me on a day trip to Gatlinburg, since I'd mentioned it been a bit since we'd been on a trip. Despite some anxiety problems, getting lost, rain, and pain in the legs from sitting in the car, I still enjoyed myself. I mean it's the unexpected things that makes for the great stories.

Bryson City/Cherokee

We actually ended up visiting these areas a total of 3 times each. But it gave me a chance to see parts of the area I hadn't seen, or haven't seen in a loooong time. Being smart women we stopped at Bryson City's Visitor and Heritage museum. While Fangirl took a restroom run I looked about the first floor of the museum. In a small room they'd taken pieces I guess found from various old school rooms and made a mock one room school house. In entrance room was pews and a piano from a church or two, and some other literature safe under glass. You have to wander the stories behind them. The days of learning and early Sunday mornings.

　

During one of the drive troughs we passed the Sequoyah Bear in Cherokee, It's part of these artistic bear statues in Cherokee. I don't think I'd seen this one yet. For those who don't know yet he is the man who I believe who developed the Cherokee Syllabary.

　

Nantahala Gorge

We also ended up in the Nantahala Gorge. The rain that came down formed a mist over the creek where we'd been observing rafters. I decided to tell Fangirl about the Giant Wasp/Hornet Legend I read Mountain Ghost Stories and Curious Tales of Western North Carolina by Randy Russell and Janet Barnett. Yes I'm evil.

　

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies™

At the aquarium Fangirl got the opposite what she hoped. See as I've mentioned I have Anxiety. In certain crowded situations I'm fine, but sometimes when there's screaming kids, people who really have no problem invading your personal space, and lots of noise all in one area I have a tough time, so her solution was go on a weekday, sadly it was a weekday during the summer... yeah. Add in my ever worsening OCD, which I don't think I had the last time I was there, it wasn't a cakewalk, but I still managed to find good times.

One great memory of this trip was the fact I got to touch a jelly fish, and not have to be peed on afterwards! I never believed I would touch one, now I can add it to my list of life experiences. So what does a jelly fish feel like? Basically as the name implies jelly like.

Fish Amongst the Trees

One of my most favorite parts of the aquarium is the underwater tunnel. It's beautiful and a bit scary. At one point I took a break from getting pictures, which I'm prone to do a lot because my parents aren't able to go to places like this, and just observed the shark swimming above me for a bit. I watched the way it moved through the water, both scary and amazing.

I found myself looking at the fish floating by and imagining I could be a mermaid, this may have me been me coping with the anxiety too.

　

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditurium™

I hadn't been here since my first trip to the town. We were greeted by I wanna say wax figures of a couple famous people in body alterations one is a Lizard Man that I've seen a few times on TV. Since my last visit there have been some great interactive things added. In one room where your moves effected the screen where there was some live club/trance music going on I was "Rave!", well in my mind.

I have two favorite areas of the odditurium the first is the cemetery. It's all spooky and got creepy pieces, and my favorite, the vampire hunter kit. VvvV

My other favorite thing is the swinging bridge tunnel they have, and I have to say this pic Fangirl got of me is creepy cool and my eyes just have the perfect effect.

　

That piece of paper in me hand is from a Zoltar Machine. It was a favorable prediction for me.

Clouds

Through out the day, wisps of fog hung low upon the mountains. Sometimes you felt you could just reach out and touch. The clouds played through the green mountains, over the blackened patches from the fires last year, and the sun could sometimes be found enter woven within it.

　

Well I hope you enjoyed my tales from a day long road trip. If you want to see a few more pictures and some other memories from the day read the blog I did for the Imaginative People's Association Blog: Gilded Wings

God bless you my friends and may your journeys be great.